What Is the SIXS ETF? Returns, Fees, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs at a Glance
The ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF (SIXS) is an actively managed ETF that invests in US small caps through the portfolio managers' stock selection. Differences in management style, fees, and dividends versus index-based small-cap ETFs such as IJR, IWM, and VB are the key selection criteria for investors weighing its outlook.
What Is the ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF?
This is an actively managed ETF that invests in US small caps, allocating most of its net assets to the common stock of small listed companies. The portfolio managers select stocks whose market capitalization falls in the small-cap range and seek capital appreciation.
It suits investors who want exposure to the managers' small-cap stock-picking skill rather than simple index tracking.
The ETF is managed by Exchange Traded Concepts using an active management approach.
How Does the ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tracking index | Small caps (active, non-tracking) |
| Management style | Active (stock selection) |
| Rebalancing frequency | At managers' discretion |
| Dividend frequency | Depends on management policy |
| Total expense ratio | 0.50% |
| Fund manager | Exchange Traded Concepts |
The fund allocates a significant portion of its net assets to the common stock of small US listed companies, and the managers build the portfolio by selecting stocks in the small-cap market capitalization range. What sets it apart is that it does not mechanically replicate a broad small-cap index but adjusts weightings at the managers' discretion.
- Active stock selection by the managers instead of index replication
- Concentration in the US small-cap segment
ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fees)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $142.9M, and the total expense ratio is 0.50% per year.
Compared with the index-based small-cap ETFs IJR and IWM, its active management style means a somewhat higher fee burden, and its performance depends on the managers' selection skill.
ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Performance and Trends
Small caps are highly sensitive to the economy and tend to move differently from large caps depending on interest rates and the business cycle. As an active ETF, its performance can diverge from the index depending on the managers' selection results.
The small-cap category tends to see notable fund inflows in risk-on environments, and during volatile markets it can show larger swings than large caps. Active small-cap ETFs belong to a relatively small category.
ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Pros and Cons
The managers' small-cap selection skill is its strength, while higher fees than index-based funds and the volatility typical of small caps are its drawbacks.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
The IJR, IWM, and VB shown in the table are leading index-based ETFs in the same US small-cap category, and all are lower-fee, broad passive products. Unlike SIXS, which uses a different management style, they mechanically replicate small-cap indexes. In addition, VTWO, which tracks the Russell 2000, and Schwab's index-based small-cap fund SCHA can also be considered together as direct substitutes in the same category.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | $138.93 | +0.5% | $103.5B | 0.06% | 1.23% | +14.7% | |
| Vanguard Morningstar Small-Cap ETF | $288.57 | +0.5% | $77.7B | 0.03% | 1.26% | +11.5% | |
| iShares Russell 2000 Index Fund | $276.99 | +0.5% | $74.3B | 0.19% | 0.99% | +11.1% | |
| Schwab U.S. Small-Cap ETF | $32.72 | +0.6% | $21.7B | 0.03% | 1.12% | +14.8% | |
| Vanguard Russell 2000 Index ETF | $111.87 | +0.5% | $16.6B | 0.06% | 1.21% | +10.9% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Seaways Inc | 0.03% | $113.75 | +2.7% | $5.6B | 7.3 | 17.44% | |
| EZCorp Inc | 0.03% | $28.74 | +0.1% | $1.8B | 14.6 | - | |
| Horace Mann Educators Corp | 0.02% | $46.49 | +0.4% | $1.9B | 10.9 | 3.08% | |
| Innoviva Inc | 0.04% | $21.05 | +1.9% | $1.5B | 5.1 | - | |
| Enact Holdings Inc | 0.05% | $48.29 | +0.8% | $6.6B | 10.2 | 1.93% | |
| HCI Group Inc | 0.04% | $203.10 | -0.5% | $2.5B | 8.8 | 0.79% | |
| Cal-Maine Foods Inc | 0.02% | $62.32 | -0.5% | $2.9B | 52.9 | 3.94% |
ETC 6 Meridian Small Cap Equity ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in SIXS. As an active small-cap ETF, its management style, fees, and the volatility typical of small caps should be checked in advance, and it is worth comparing it against index-based small-cap ETFs.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Fee comparison with index-based small-cap ETFs | To be confirmed |
| 🧭 Management style | Difference between active selection and index replication | Actively managed |
| 📉 Small-cap volatility | Volatility and liquidity risk versus large caps | High |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact on returns converted to Korean won | Not currency-hedged |
The high volatility typical of small caps and the reliance on active management are the main risk factors. Performance can diverge significantly from the index, and during market corrections small caps can fall more sharply than large caps.
If you want exposure to the managers' small-cap selection skill, this ETF can be an option. If cost efficiency and broad diversification are your priorities, index-based small-cap ETFs such as IJR and VB are more suitable.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 26, 2026.